Inductee Details

David A. Duffy

~ Inducted 2001

David A. Duffy of North Kingstown, is the retired chairman of the highly successful firm of Duffy & Shanley, a Providence based advertising, marketing and public relations firm. David Duffy worked his way up from a typicla Pawtucket Irish kid working in a bar to success as a prominent businessman and civic leader.

Duffy attended St. Leo’s and St. Raphael Academy, determined to becomea reporter. He worked through high school as a summer replacement at the Times of Pawtucket, before abandonning dream after a two-year stint in the Army and a growing family made in necessary to find a new career path. A graduate of Providence College, his early career was spent in advertising and sales promotion for General Electric and FitzGerald-Toole & Co. He also worked in public information for Providence College. Duffy joined the Rockefeller for President Campaign in 1968, served as special assistant to the US Secretary of Transportation in Washington DC, and worked on many special projects worldwide for NY Governor and US Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller. In 1973 he founded Duffy & Shanley in as a public relations consultancy. It is now a full-service, integrated marketing communications firm serving nationally recognized firms and brands. Duffy advised prominent local politicians from John H. Chafee through Donald L. Carcieri.

In the mid-1980s, Duffy & Shanley developed a donated advertising campaign for the state under Governor DiPrete administration with the motto, "Rhode Island — Our people make us great." They are also noted for the Old Stone Bank Flinstones campaign. In 1995, they produced complimentary television, radio, and newspaper ads for the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce supporting then-governor Almond’s budget proposals. Duffy & Shanley represented the Narragansetts, principally on civil rights issues as well as the state Economic Development Corporation. Duffy & Shanley has worked for several branches of state government, the EDC, and its predecessor agency, since 1984 and has also done some work for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

David Duffy has served in many capacities in the fields of government, business and community affairs, including serving as chairman of the National Board of Directors of the National Conference for Community and Justice. He is also member of the select commission on race and police-community relations and has chaired the Capital Campaign Committee of the Heritage Harbor Museum.

Duffy retired from Duffy & Shanley in 2000 and now resides in Palm Beach and North Kingstown.